Date: 2015-05-15
Type of information: Product acquisition
Compound: somatoprim (DG3173 - somatostatin analogue)
Company: Cortendo (Sweden) Aspireo Pharmaceuticals (Sweden)
Therapeutic area: Rare diseases - Hormonal diseases - Endocrine diseases
Type agreement: product acquisition
Action mechanism: growth hormone analogue.Somatoprim (DG3173) is a novel and proprietary somatostatin analogue (SSA) that is based on a novel amino acid composition and a unique backbone cyclisation technology used for stabilisation of the peptide. During extensive preclinical testing, DG3173 demonstrated a novel pattern for somatostatin receptor binding and a differentiated pharmacological profile that is significantly differentiated from SSAs that are currently marketed or in clinical development. In particular, DG3173 has demonstrated in preclinical models potent inhibition of growth hormone secretion without effect on insulin, key hormones for metabolic control. Furthermore, assessment of growth hormone secretion in cultured human adenoma cells from acromegaly patients treated with DG3173 showed a higher level of responsiveness suggesting that it has the potential to increase the response rate of acromegaly patients to SSL therapy. DG3173 was also observed to inhibit growth hormone secretion in a dose-dependent fashion in three Phase 1 dose escalation studies in healthy subjects. DG3173 was also observed to reduce growth hormone secretion with reduced effects on insulin secretion and glucose levels as compared to octreotide in two single ascending dose Phase 2 studies in acromegalic patients. At higher dose levels, the number of patients with normal growth hormone levels was comparable to that achieved after administration of octreotide. Side effects were consistent with those observed in Phase 1.
Disease: acromegaly
Details: * On May 15, 2015, Cortendo, a biopharmaceutical company focused on rare endocrine disorders and other rare diseases, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Aspireo Pharmaceuticals’ Somatoprim (DG3173), an investigational compound being studied for the treatment of acromegaly. This next-generation, somatostatin analog (SSA) with a unique receptor affinity profile, is investigated for the treatment of acromegaly, with potential additional applications in Cushing’s Syndrome and neuroendocrine tumors.
Financial terms: Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, Cortendo will provide Aspireo Pharmaceuticals approximately $30 million in Cortendo equity for Somatoprim (DG3173). The completion of the acquisition of Somatoprim (DG3173) is subject to, among other things, shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is scheduled to be held on or about June 24, 2015. This acquisition is expected to be completed shortly after the AGM.
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